Optical Apparatus Lens Barrel Miniaturization via Radial Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical apparatuses, such as digital cameras and interchangeable lenses, face challenges in miniaturization due to the requirement for position detecting grooves that hinder size reduction in the barrel diameter and overall length.
Innovation Solution
The optical apparatus includes a guide barrel, a cam barrel, a detecting member with a detection engaging part, and a fixed barrel. The detecting member is movable in the optical axis direction relative to the cam barrel, allowing for position detection without the need for large lift amounts in the detection grooves, thus enabling miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a position detecting groove is provided in the cam barrel or operation ring with a lift amount equivalent to the detecting range, then position detection accuracy is improved, but the barrel diameter and overall length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection mechanism from requiring axial lift movement to detecting radial or angular position changes. The detection groove is redesigned so that the detector engages with the cam barrel's rotational or radial position rather than requiring axial displacement, thereby maintaining detection accuracy without increasing the barrel's length or diameter in the optical axis direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the detection groove has a large lift amount to cover the full detecting range, then the detection range is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is redesigned to measure position changes in a different dimension (angular or radial) rather than axial lift. This allows the detection groove to cover the full detection range without requiring large axial depth, thereby reducing the lens barrel volume while maintaining complete detection capability across the zoom range.
3Reliability
If the detector is fixed to the fixed barrel and engages with a groove in the cam barrel, then position detection reliability is improved, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection groove function directly into the cam barrel structure itself, eliminating the need for separate detection components mounted on the fixed barrel. The cam barrel's geometry is designed to directly engage the detector, combining the cam mechanism and position encoding function into a single integrated component, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus includes a guide barrel configured to hold a lens unit movably in an optical axis direction, a cam barrel rotatably held by the guide barrel, a detecting member including a detection engaging part, and configured to perform a position detection of the lens unit by a movement of the detection engaging part, and a fixed barrel in which the guide barrel, the cam barrel, and the detecting member are disposed. The detection engaging part is engaged with a detection engaged part provided on the cam barrel. The detecting member is movable in the optical axis direction relative to the cam barrel.